How to Install Tile Over Lino

Porcelain floor tiles are ideal for laying on top of lino.

Old linoleum floors were built to last. The adhesive used to lay them frequently contains asbestos, and grows stronger over time making "lino" both difficult to pull up and dangerous.



For the homeowner who wishes to install new flooring, the most attractive option is tiling directly on top of the lino. This is accomplished by using a mortar made with Portland cement. The cement is able to bond the new tile to the old linoleum, creating a floor that is just as long lasting with more updated style.

Things You'll Need

• Floor cleaning supplies
• Tile wet saw
• Portland cement
• Trowel
• Grout
• Float
• Sponge

Instructions

1. Inspect the linoleum well. New tile can only be laid on the old if the lino is well adhered to the substrate with no missing tiles, curling corners or loose pieces. Make sure there is enough clearance at doorways for doors to open over the new floor thickness and adjust thresholds if necessary.

2. Clean the linoleum well. Strip off wax, old coats of sealer as well as any dirt or debris. Linoleum is porous so the cement will adhere best directly to the tiles rather than to a surface coating. Let the linoleum dry completely.

3. Lay out the new tiles right on top of the lino. Begin at the center of the wall opposite the door to tile yourself out of the room. Check to make sure all areas of the linoleum are being covered by the new tiles. Cut the tiles on a tile wet saw before beginning the install to ensure that everything fits and lays in the pattern you desire.

4. Take up the tiles in the same pattern you will install them in and stack them nearby. Spread a thin layer of Portland cement over the lino and comb it with a trowel until it reaches a consistent depth. Spread a second layer of mortar onto the backs of the tiles one at a time just before you lay them on the lino to ensure complete coverage and a good bond between the two surfaces. This is called "back buttering" and is used to ensure that adequate mortar is being used between the two surfaces. Use the trowel to skim a layer of mortar directly onto the tile's back; there is no need to comb it.

5. Press the tiles into place in the same pattern you took them up moving backwards out of the room. Let the tiles dry for a minimum of 48 hours before stepping on the floor or grouting them to give the cement ample time to harden in place.

6. Grout your new floor by spreading the grout with a rubber float. Hold the handle of the float at a 45 degree angle to the floor and scrape the grout across the surface of the new tiles and into the joints between them. Wait approximately 10 minutes for the grout to begin to dry and wipe the surface of the tiles clean with a sponge which has been rinsed in clean water and wrung out completely.

References

• The Tile Doctor: Tile Over Tile
• Floor Covering Installer: Installing Porcelain Tile
• The Tile Doctor: Removal of Existing Surface Tile